Pitt Island (Moriori: Rangihaute, Māori: Rangiauria)[2][3] is the second largest island in New Zealand's Chatham Islands, with an area of 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi). It lies about 770 kilometres (480 mi)[4] to the east of New Zealand's main islands, and about 20 kilometres (12 mi) to the southeast of Chatham Island, from which it is separated by Pitt Strait. The island is hilly; its highest point (Waihere Head) rises to 241 metres (791 ft) above sea level.[1] As of 2011[update], Pitt Island had a population of about 38 people.
Kahuitara Point seen from Mount Hakepa
Pitt Island's Kahuitara Point is the first populated location on Earth to observe a sunrise in each new year, based on local time zone.[5]
History
Flower Pot Bay in the northwest 1877
Pitt Island was originally inhabited by the Moriori, the indigenous peoples of the Chatham Islands, who called it Rangiaotea or Rangihaute. Their archaeological remains are found almost everywhere on the island; large quantities of artefacts are constantly coming to light.[6][7] No remains of momori rakau are visible on the island, but there are records of them once being present.[8]
The first Europeans to see and name Chatham Island were the crew of William Robert Broughton's ship HMS Chatham in November 1791. However, they did not see Pitt Island. The first to do so was Captain Charles Johnston on HMS Cornwallis in May 1807. He named it 'Pitt's Island' after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.[citation needed] In 1840, the name was simplified to "Pitt" Island. Taranaki Maori who invaded the Chatham Islands in 1835 called it Rangiauria, a name which is still in use today.
Over the years there have been many ships wrecked around both Pitt and Chatham Islands. One of these was the Australian sealing brigGlory, which was wrecked on Pitt Island in what became known as Glory Bay in January 1827.[9]
The main sources of income for Pitt Islanders are farming, commercial fishing, and tourism. The New Zealand Department of Conservation is active on Pitt Island and, in conjunction with several landowners, administers a number of covenanted areas and reserves. The island imports fuel and most manufactured goods, and exports live sheep and cattle to mainland New Zealand.
The island has a school, a wharf, a church and a grass landing strip for light planes.[11] A gravel road runs from Flower Pot Bay to the airstrip. A supply ship visits Pitt Island about every three months. Each household generates its own electricity, by either diesel generator or wind turbine. Most homes have satellite TV and broadband internet connections. Transport on the island is mostly by means of quad bikes, four wheel drives and occasionally horses. In 2011, the Pitt Island School had eight children, aged between 6 and 12 years. [12]
^Leung-Wai, Jason; Borren, Tim (July 2017). Chatham Islands Economic Profile(PDF) (Report). Chatham Islands Council. Archived(PDF) from the original on 26 January 2023.
